| US 7,407,630 B2 | ||
| High density plate filler | ||
| Mark T. Reed, Menlo Park, Calif. (US); Albert L. Carrillo, Redwood City, Calif. (US); and Ian A. Harding, San Mateo, Calif. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Applera Corporation, Foster City, Calif. (US) | ||
| Filed on Mar. 22, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/86,271. | ||
| Application 11/086271 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/944673, filed on Sep. 17, 2004, abandoned. | ||
| Application 10/944673 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/944691, filed on Sep. 17, 2004, abandoned. | ||
| Application 10/944691 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/913601, filed on Aug. 05, 2004. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/589224, filed on Jul. 19, 2004. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/589225, filed on Jul. 19, 2004. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/601716, filed on Aug. 13, 2004. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/504500, filed on Sep. 19, 2003. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/504052, filed on Sep. 19, 2003. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2005/0232820 A1, Oct. 20, 2005 | ||
| Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 422—102 [422/100; 422/104] | 21 Claims |
| 1. A filling apparatus for filling a microplate, said microplate having a plurality of wells, each of said plurality of wells
being sized to receive an assay therein, said filling apparatus comprising:
a first layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface, said first layer further having an assay input port for
receiving the assay extending from said first surface to said second surface, a venting manifold formed in said second surface,
and a vent hole in fluid communication with said venting manifold and atmosphere, said venting manifold and said vent hole
being distinct from said assay input port;
a second layer having a plurality of staging capillaries, each of said plurality of staging capillaries having an inlet and
an outlet and being sized to receive the assay, said second layer having a plurality of microfluidic channels formed therein,
at least one of said plurality of microfluidic channels being in fluid communication with said inlets of at least a pair of
said plurality of staging capillaries; and
a third layer disposed between said first layer and said second layer, said third layer further having a flow aperture being
in fluid communication with said assay input port and said plurality of microfluidic channels, said third layer further having
a plurality of vent apertures each in fluid communication with at least one of said plurality of staging capillaries, two
or more of said plurality of vent apertures being in fluid communication with said venting manifold and distinct from said
plurality of staging capillaries and said plurality of microfluidic channels.
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